Introducing: Teen Advisory Board Essays

Welcome to a brand new feature on the MCLS blog!. Throughout the year, we will periodically share essays written about books and library life by members of our Teen Advisory Board (TAB). The TAB provides opportunities for service by teens. Our members help with programming, suggest books for purchase, and write the quarterly TAB magazine. 

Today we are sharing three essays: Sayam Goyal writes about the importance of libraries in his life; Samantha Gunton shares her experiences as a dedicated reader; and Lina Abtouche speaks to the value of public libraries in the modern age. Enjoy this special perspective from Mercer County teens!

The Role Libraries Play in My Life

By Sayam Goyal

“In principle and reality, libraries are life-enhancing palaces of wonder.”

― Gail Honeyman

Access to easy information
The library: An information hub full of opportunities, adventures, and tools.

Hi, my name is Sayam Goyal. As a high school student and avid learner, I can attest to the invaluable role the Mercer County Library (MCL) has played in my life by providing easy access to the information I need to succeed offline and, more importantly, online.

But don't just take my word for it. Consider the following scenario: Have you ever found yourself in need of a textbook or reference material for an assignment, but were unable to afford it? Or even if you could afford it, you just didn’t have the time to wait for it to come in?

MCL has amazing physical and digital resources to help. Not only can you get a book of your choice in less than 10 minutes, but most of the time you can even access them with a click of a button - and also for free.

Personally, I relied heavily on the MCL collection of books and reference materials to complete my assignments and find the resources I needed. The MCL online catalog has made it easy for me to find the books I need and reserve them for pickup or online access.

With COVID still happening, the MCL online resources have become even more crucial, allowing the community to access information from the safety of their homes. In addition, there’s Libby, a mobile application where you can register your library card and access thousands of MCL audio or eBooks instantly.

That’s not all! MCL has subscriptions to major magazines and newspapers as well and, if that’s not enough, it has online databases that provide access to a wealth of information going back decades.

To put it simply, the MCL is an often-underappreciated resource that plays a crucial role in my life - along with many others - and we are grateful for it. It played a big part in my academic and personal growth.

Socialization with local residents
But besides information, what else can the library offer?

Have you ever found yourself feeling isolated or disconnected from your community? Or want to know more about your neighborhood events? Or even wondered sometimes what your classmates are up to after school?

Well, look no further than your local library. It can be a resource for fostering socialization and connecting with local residents or even with your classmates. Allow me to share a few personal stories with you.

We have been living in our neighborhood for more than eight years, yet we have never really gotten to know all of our neighbors very well. That all changed when we started visiting the MCL.

One day, while browsing the shelves, we struck up a conversation with a family. As it turned out, they were our new neighbors, only a couple of houses down, and their daughter was in the same grade as me! We ended up chatting for a while and exchanging contact information. Since then, we've even become good friends.

In another incident, I found my classmates who had been hosting their quantum club meets in the MCL. There I learned not only what they were teaching, but also how I could do similar things on my own.

In essence, the MCL serves as a hub for socialization and a connection to our local community.

Resources beyond books
The MCL is great for information and community connections, but is that it? 

The MCL can also be a valuable source of a wide range of services and resources. As a frequent visitor, I have personally experienced the benefits of these resources and services.

For example, have you ever thought about hosting an educational event, but felt constrained to find space for it? MCL can help make it happen. I recently planned a session for elementary school children on the importance of coding. The library provided me with resources such as a room, projector, and equipment needed to host the session.

Not only that, they also helped me with the advertising and promotion of the event, which helped me reach a larger audience. Furthermore, the library staff was available to help me with the planning and execution of the event. The session was a huge success and a great experience for the children who attended.

But that's not all. What about saving some money?

My parents discovered that our local library offers notary services for free. This was extremely useful for them as it saved them money and time. They were looking for a notary to attest to the power of attorney documents for real estate-related needs and it so happened that Ms. Margaret from the MCL branch was our own library notary. She was able to take care of all the document attestation without the hefty fees we would have had to pay if we had gone to an outside notary.

These are just two examples of many. I strongly encourage you to take advantage of the resources and services that your local library has to offer.

Community Events & Engagement
Great academic information, social connections, and resources. But what about the information on local events and programs in the community?

One day, while passing through the MCL corridor, I was surprised to see so many programs listed on the notice board. Not only that, but the programs were divided into major groups such as children, young adults, and adults. Amazingly, each group had more than 20 programs listed under it.

That day, I realized that the MCL is not just a source of information, it's also a hub for community events and programs. Each of these programs covers a wide range of people of all ages and interests.

Are you looking for book clubs, coding sessions or to learn a new language? Well, chances are you will find them listed on the notice board. For example, I recently attended a book club hosted by MCL, where I had the opportunity to discuss a book with a group of people from my community, and it was a great experience.

Besides the planned programs, MCL also serves as a community space for local events, connecting individuals with their community. MCL often hosts networking events and children's programs such as story time and sketch and drawing competitions.

Essentially, MCL plays a major role in community engagement by providing information and hosting events and programs that bring residents together. It is a valuable resource for staying informed about local events and programs.

Personal and professional development
Finally, have you ever felt stressed and overwhelmed by the demands of school or work, and needed a peaceful and relaxing environment to focus? MCL can do that for you. It has provided me with a quiet and peaceful environment to destress and focus on my work. This has not only helped academically, but also in terms of my mental and emotional well-being.

MCL's peaceful atmosphere allows me to disconnect from the distractions of daily life, and focus on my studies and professional development.

But it doesn’t stop there. Have you ever wanted to develop new skills or explore job opportunities in your desired field? MCL offers a wide range of resources for that as well.

For example, MCL offers workshops on digital literacy, computer programming, and other skills that are in high demand in today's job market.

Additionally, the library's online resources such as job search engines and career development resources can be extremely helpful in researching job opportunities and connecting with local opportunities in my desired field.

So next time you need information, community connection, or some service, I highly recommend you visit your local library and talk to the librarian about it first. 

“Libraries are more than just a storage place for books, they are treasure troves filled with creativity and knowledge. And that knowledge can be empowering.” 

― R.L. Hemlock

Good bye for now and happy browsing!

How Reading Has Changed My Life

By Samantha Gunton

Have you ever dreamed of being a celebrity or professional athlete? Have you ever imagined what it would be like to be a world leader or CEO of a major company? By reading books written by people in these professions and others, you can be transported into a world vastly different than your own. That’s one of the reasons I love reading. From an early age, I remember enjoying books by some of my favorite influential people and being inspired to reach my highest potential. For example, the book Becoming by Michelle Obama made a significant impact on me. I was impressed by the grit and resilience Michelle Obama possessed, and I aim to emulate her strength in my own life. 

Reading is not just a fun way to entertain yourself, but it can grow your mind by introducing you to new perspectives and ideas. When I was in middle school, I picked up a book called Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper. It is about a 10-year old girl (Melody) who was born with cerebral palsy. Despite her physical limitations, which include an inability to talk or walk, she is incredibly smart. It was very frustrating for the reader to see her being overlooked and blatantly ignored due to her disorder. Luckily, there were some celebratory moments for Melody, and it ended on a positive note. Throughout the novel, I laughed, gasped, and came close to tears at different points. I developed strong feelings of empathy towards her. 

These feelings of empathy are not unique to me. There have been scientific studies that prove reading literary fiction can help foster empathy and increase one’s understanding of other people. One study found that fiction readers may have better social skills due to an increased ability to empathize.

In high school, I have fluctuated between periods where I read often, and times when I’m not so glued to the pages of the latest thriller. However, a shift occurred at the start of my junior year, when I decided to commit to a reading habit. I also decided to delete social media, which freed up a good amount of time that I didn’t realize I had. I began to replace the time that I previously spent scrolling (on Instagram or TikTok) and would pick up a paperback instead. Some of the books I particularly enjoyed include: Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng, The Three-Year Swim Club by Julie Checkoway, and The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. 

I noticed a difference in various aspects of my life, due to my extra time reading and less time spent on screens. My social relationships seemed to improve, because I possessed more understanding of others' actions and thoughts. Also, my writing skills were much better, even causing my English teacher to applaud me for my rich vocabulary! My sleep was less interrupted and deeper, because I would read before bed instead of looking at my iPhone. Additionally, I was happier, because humorous books (such as the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich) never failed to put a smile on my face. 

I also wanted to commit more time to reading because I discovered how many benefits of reading there are. For example, many of the world’s most successful people credit their accomplishments to reading. Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Elon Musk, and others have been quoted regarding their love of books. Barack Obama said in 2013, “Reading is important. If you know how to read then the whole world opens up to you.” Reading is so crucial, in fact, that a country’s literacy rates affect their economic prosperity. A study in 2020 by the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy and Gallup indicated that improving the literacy level of Americans would generate an additional $2.2 trillion in yearly income for the United States. 

Personally, my love of reading has changed my life for the better, and I will enjoy the habit whenever I have a free moment. The pursuit of literature has given me joy, laughter, and contentment. Every time I venture to the library to pick up another adventure or mystery novel, I feel grateful for the ability to do so. The library makes it possible for anyone to begin their reading journey, a journey that is full of both entertainment and factual information. Whether someone reads an eBook or paperback, the benefits are the same. So, go to your local library and pick up the latest thriller, or whatever genre you enjoy. As for me, I’ll be glued to the pages of the newest mystery novel! 

The Importance of Public Libraries: A Timeless Institution that Defies the Disparities of the New Age

By Lina Abtouche

Reading allows one to explore new facets of life and develop a nuanced perception of the world around them. Without literature, one would be deprived of the opportunity to immerse themselves in a world apart from the reality they know. Libraries have come to be synonymous with possessing these havens etched on the pages of countless works. They not only hold books for our enjoyment, but can provide us with the necessary resources to satiate our curiosity and thrive as individuals. 

Recently, however, book retailers have been a looming presence over public libraries. Whether it be special editions of books or exclusive partnerships with authors, customers have been drawn into this new lucrative industry. While profitable, it completely reforms the way books, as well as reading in general, is advertised to the public. Rather than being for everyone, it has been deemed exclusive for those who are able to afford the high prices of each book. 

The issue with book retailers is that the novels they sell are behind a paywall or at a price that is unaffordable to low income students or individuals. Especially with the cost of living today and inflation, this renders certain students unable to have access to these books, thus contributing to an increasing educational disparity. As a low income student myself, I have experienced this lack of access to literature due to its high price and have come to find salvation in my local library. 

Not only are books free to check out, but there are a multitude of services available (programs, digital reading platforms, computers, etc.). A library card is not only free, but permits patrons to access thousands of books and other forms of entertainment also free of charge. Moreover, items can be checked out simultaneously and a fee is only incurred if the patron has kept the item longer than the time allowed. Even so, one can choose to renew their books to have them longer. 

Libraries have become overshadowed in the digital age with online services and a decline in reading rates. However, libraries provide the same services at no cost to the individual and have many inexpensive advantages in lieu of attempting to purchase resources at retailers. They stand for every reader regardless of their socioeconomic status and their ability to pay for a book whose literary value outweighs its monetary value. It is in this way libraries leave an indelible impression on their communities. Times are changing, yet the one aspect of our society that is irrevocable are our public libraries.

Reading is not an archaic concept, but rather an integral part of who we are as human beings. Taking the time to read, even if for a few minutes, can influence your ideologies and can increase your cognitive performance by exposing you to varying writing styles and vocabulary. In a tumultuous time, libraries hold the realms we can escape to without having to expend more money than we already do. It is up to us to change the narrative of reading and acknowledge the disparities that lie in the book market. Libraries are free institutions that have always provided for all, not the select few.